I, the number one master of metaphysics, have achieved legendary status in the entertainment industr

He patted Xiao Zhe's head, and Xiao Zhe gave him a sweet smile. Lu Fan returned the smile, turned around, opened the door, and left the ward.

Feng Qianqian closed the door, leaned against the cold door panel, and let out a long breath. She walked to the bedside and carefully stuffed the rough burlap sack under her son's pillow.

"Xiao Zhe," she gently stroked her son's soft hair, "Mom will definitely protect you. No matter what Mom does, it's all for my Xiao Zhe's sake."

Xiao Zhe nodded as if he understood, and rubbed his mother's hand affectionately.

On the other side, at nine o'clock in the evening, Ding Xingyou pushed open the door to his home.

The living room lights were still on. Her father, Ding Jianguo, was sitting on the sofa watching financial news. When he saw her return, he looked up and asked, "Is everything settled with the film crew?"

"Okay, it's all taken care of." Ding Xingyou changed his shoes and put his bag down. "I can officially go back to work the day after tomorrow."

Ding Jianguo frowned: "The day after tomorrow? Why delay until the day after tomorrow? Every day of work stoppage costs money. Your low-budget film already has a tight budget."

Ding Xingyou went to the restaurant, poured himself a glass of water, took a sip, and then said, "I'm waiting for someone."

"Waiting for whom?"

"Lu Fan".

Ding Jianguo suddenly turned his head, looked at Ding Xingyou, and raised his voice abruptly: "Lu Fan? That minor celebrity who was blacklisted by Xingyue and whose scandals are rampant online? What are we waiting for him for?"

"He's the second male lead in my film," Ding Xingyou said.

"Replace him." Ding Jianguo said in a commanding tone, "He's covered in filth right now; using him is like using a ticking time bomb. Find someone decent to replace him, and the crew will resume work tomorrow."

"No change." Ding Xingyou said firmly.

Ding Jianguo stared at his daughter: "Give me a reason?"

"This character, in terms of both appearance and temperament, is very similar to Lu Fan. Moreover, I have high hopes for Lu Fan's acting skills and work ethic." Ding Xingyou looked directly at his father. "And I believe that with him in this film, it will be different. It will shine brightly."

"Shine brightly?" Ding Jianguo shook his head. "A nobody actor who can't even be considered a third-tier star, struggling to make ends meet, what kind of brilliance can he bring to your film? Xingyou, this isn't your first time acting, don't let your emotions get the better of you. Investors' money doesn't grow on trees, I have to be responsible for the project."

"I am the director, and I am responsible for my film," Ding Xingyou said firmly.

The father and daughter stared at each other, the atmosphere somewhat tense.

Ding Jianguo's face darkened: "If you insist on using Lu Fan, then I have no choice but to reassess the risks of this project. I am the main investor, and I have the right to demand the replacement of actors who may have a negative impact. If you disagree..."

"You want to withdraw your investment?" Ding Xingyou took over the conversation.

Ding Jianguo didn't say anything, but his meaning was clear.

Ding Xingyou was silent for a few seconds, then walked to the sofa opposite his father and sat down. He said calmly, "Dad, I almost died on set today."

Ding Jianguo was shocked: "What?! What happened?"

He stood up, quickly went to his daughter's side, and looked her up and down: "Are you feeling unwell? Or are you injured? Have you been to the hospital?"

Seeing his father's nervous expression, Ding Xingyou's displeasure dissipated.

"This afternoon, in that old building on the film set," Ding Xingyou said, trying to soften his tone, "I don't know why, but I jumped down from the second floor."

Ding Jianguo's expression changed.

"Lu Fan caught me," Ding Xingyou continued. "He rushed over and caught me with his body. If he hadn't been there, or if he had been a step slower, what you see now might be a corpse."

Ding Jianguo's hands trembled slightly, and his voice was hoarse: "How could you... suddenly want to jump off a building? Did those things on your film crew affect you? If it's not safe, we won't film anymore. Dad hopes you will succeed, but he hopes you will be healthy even more."

Ding Jianguo knew about the strange things happening in his daughter's film crew.

Ding Xingyou still felt a lingering fear when he recalled it: "I know very well that I felt... like I was being controlled by something, and I couldn't control myself. Lu Fan said that I was affected by evil energy."

"A malevolent aura?" Ding Jianguo frowned.

"Yes." Ding Xingyou took out his phone, found a photo, and handed it to his father. "This is a talisman that Lu Fan drew on my back. He said it can temporarily isolate the remaining evil energy and calm my mind."

Ding Jianguo took the phone and examined the photo closely, his eyes filled with suspicion and uncertainty. He picked up his own phone and went to his study to make a call.

Ding Xingyou sat in the living room waiting. She knew her father knew people in some "special circles" and had connections to verify this.

About ten minutes later, Ding Jianguo came out of the study with a serious expression. He returned the phone to his daughter.

"I asked a trusted old gentleman," Ding Jianguo said in a low voice. "He looked at the photo and said that it was indeed an authentic 'exorcising talisman,' and that the person who drew it was highly skilled and used genuine materials. He also said... that the talisman was drawn with his eyes closed in a state of extreme panic and tension, and that the practitioner was no ordinary person."

Ding Xingyou recalled the situation at the time, and it was almost the same as what his father had said.

Although Lu Fan's eyes weren't closed, she was pinned down, so Lu Fan couldn't see her back, which was almost the same as if her eyes were closed.

Ding Jianhua was filled with lingering fear: "So, you really did something today..."

"Really." Ding Xingyou nodded. "Dad, Lu Fan is my savior. Not only did he catch me, but he also brought this talisman. Without him, I might have gone crazy or died by now."

Ding Jianguo let out a heavy sigh, sat back on the sofa, and unconsciously tapped the armrest with his fingers.

After a long pause, he finally spoke: "Even if he saved you, even if he has some... special skills, one thing is one thing. You know his current situation; Xingyue is clearly trying to ruin him."

Friday's livestream contract termination was his execution ground. If he can't recover by Friday, it's all over. Using an artist who's already "finished" would be devastating for our project.

"I believe he can turn things around," Ding Xingyou said.

"You believe him?" Ding Jianguo looked at his daughter. "What makes you believe him? Just because he can draw talismans?"

"Based on my intuition, and on what I saw in his eyes today," Ding Xingyou said, "those weren't resigned eyes. Dad, give me a chance, and give him a chance too."

Ding Jianguo pondered for a long time.

"Three days." He finally spoke, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "I'll give you a maximum of three days. If Lu Fan can't turn things around on Friday night, can't prove his innocence, and can't get back on his feet, you must replace the second male lead. Otherwise, I'll withdraw my investment."

Ding Xingyou knew that this was already the biggest concession his father had made.

"Okay." She nodded. "Three days. If he loses on Friday night, I'll replace him myself."

Ding Jianguo sighed, stood up, and patted his daughter on the shoulder: "Get some rest. We'll resume work the day after tomorrow and catch up on the schedule."

He walked toward the bedroom, paused at the door, and turned back to say, "That Lu Fan... if he really can make it on Friday, bring him over for dinner. I want to thank him in person for saving my daughter."

Ding Xingyou's eyes lit up: "Really?"

Looking at his daughter's expression, Ding Jianguo knew exactly what she was thinking.

Moreover, the talisman was drawn on his daughter's back, and that boy had taken advantage of her. He didn't want his daughter's good fortune to be so easily taken away by a pig.

……